by Deidre Jacobson
There were many exciting, new learnings/awakenings for me at the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering. I felt privileged to be with people passionate in service for those in need through sustainability, healing, and justice.
The Blanket Exercise:
This exercise powerfully summarized the history of the conquest of Native Americans in the United States; continuous and systematic destruction of a culture and murder of native individuals over many years from one end of the country to the other. Most disturbing for me: the brutality of Christopher Columbus, the intentional cruelty and purposeful violence toward the native people who welcomed him. It is a far cry from what I was taught as a child. While this is not new information for many, it was for me.
In the center of a large room were blankets covering the floor. Around the periphery were about 30 chairs. The exercise leader explained the blankets represented the United States and indicted the east and west coasts, the north and south boundaries of the country. “Go and stand in the area where you live,” he instructed. “You now represent the Native people.” He and two helpers began on the east coast and moved across the country, describing the history of the arrival of Europeans. Stories of exploitation, deception, incredible cruelty and attempted genocide. As each story was told, he dismissed the people on the blanket who had been standing in the area where great numbers of people were killed or died due to disease. Sometimes, when Native people were forced to move onto reservations, he instructed the exercise participants to squeeze onto a small section of blankets. At the end of the exercise, few were left to represent those who remained.
MERGE Justice
I learned the importance of the justice focus of the ELCA related to hunger ministries. As a system, the parts are interconnected and must work together to accomplish the shared goals.
Migrant Justice
ELCA leaders/pastors spoke of service to Hispanic congregations. I was inspired by their sharing. Since the political party in power has chosen to make Hispanic people “the enemy,” these clergy are providing vital support and services to people living through trauma. I was deeply touched and inspired. I spoke briefly to Raed AbuJries, Program Manager for AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities).
From the website:
Goals-
Uphold and guarantee basic human rights and safety of migrant children and their families;
Address the drivers of migration around the world and the treatment of migrants in transit;
Work toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the U.S.; and
Engage as a church body with all of its companions, affiliates and partners to respond to the migration situation and its causes and to advocate for migrant children and their families.
I hope to hold onto this passion and find a way to serve the migrant community.
Environmental justice, racial justice, gender justice and economic justice ministries are interconnected and address poverty and hunger at its roots.
From the MERGE materials: ELCA World Hunger is the way our church works together to do MERGE justice in the world. Many ministries addressing the foci above are funded directly by ELCA World Hunger, empowered by fellow members of the global Lutheran church (and their neighbors) around the world, and shared by leaders such as you through stories in congregations and neighborhoods. ELCA World Hunger also funds advocacy work that communicates these priorities to lawmakers and dignitaries, which leads to real policy changes on the local, state, federal, and global level.
Mid-Ohio Farm:
I enjoyed the tour of the Mid-Ohio Farm, learning about sustainability embedded in the program’s food distribution, community education and relationship building. The Farmacy program coordinates healthy food as part of a holistic health program. Health providers write prescriptions for food support which are then filled by participating providers.
Site visit: United Methodist Church for All People
I volunteer with a ministry which was birthed by a Methodist pastor and was located in a Methodist Church for many years. The Church for All People appeared to serve a similar population. I was amazed at the variety of services provided.
From their website:
We’re a church for all people, intentionally cross-class, multi-racial, and radically inclusive.
No matter who you are or what you’ve done, you are welcome here. We offer the saving, healing love of Jesus Christ to everyone.
We embrace people of all abilities, races, classes, genders, and political views. In our community, you’ll find hospitality, hope, and transformation through God’s abundant love.
We visited their Free store stocked with clothing and other items and their Fresh market primarily stocking produce for free shopping. Other services were described in an informative presentation:
At Thrive To 5, the mission is to support families and babies across our community, empowering parents to be their child's first teacher and providing access to the tools and resources necessary to thrive.
CD4AP hosts All People After School at Lincoln Park and Siebert Elementary schools on the South Side of Columbus. This program is designed to empower scholars and support families with a safe and positive learning environment while developing young leaders who build skills in social emotional intelligence, health and wellness alongside academic enrichment. The program is offered at no cost to families and provides healthy meals and snacks for each participating scholar.
The All People After School program serves scholars in grades K-6, daily when school is in session from 3:30-6:00pm.
During the summer months, CD4AP sponsors Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools program. CDF Freedom Schools is a national, literacy-education movement, impacting the lives of children across the US by cultivating a love of reading, encouraging high self-esteem, and offering experiential learning opportunities.
Community Development for All People operates as a community housing development organization (CHDO). It is a community based, non-profit with a focus on creating, preserving, and sustaining a mixed-income community with opportunities. Since 2005, CD4AP and our partners have invested over $150 Million in affordable housing.
To date, the organization has developed 7 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Developments (LIHTC) equating to over 350+ units of affordable housing on the Southside of Columbus and owns a portfolio of 18 scattered sites consisting of multi-family, and single-family homes.
Region 1 meeting
We discussed the problems non-profits face in acquiring the needed funds to maintain their ministries.
One of the synods in the region has a grant writer who provides consultation with non-funded organizations, and another synod started a local awards fund.
The group suggested we discuss region wide options for non-profits, with November as a time to meet and discuss.
Advocacy:
A session on advocacy provided information about ELCA advocacy strategies. Future concerns related to funding cuts to multiple hunger related and health related services were addressed.
Strategies for assisting individuals impacted by the changes were presented. At the non-profit I serve, we can help people by opportunities to complete work requirements or volunteer hours in order to receive benefits.
I was introduced to the Five Calls app, which provides assistance to contact congressional and senate representatives.
The Order of Lutheran Franciscans:
I was delighted to meet a member of Order of Lutheran Franciscans. He provided a contemplative worship experience.
He invited me to visit the website for more information.
From their website:
Taking our place within the tradition of the Franciscan family, we passionately follow Jesus, rebuilding his Church, living lives of mutual care and accountability in harmony with the creeds and confessions of the Lutheran Church and both in the spirit and practice of the Evangelical Counsels, faithfully following the simple way of Saint Francis of Assisi.
The Order of Lutheran Franciscans invites all members of the ELCA to inquire and discern the Franciscan way of life within this community, including those of any race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, relationship status, socio-economic status, education level, or physical abilities.
Foundations: Accompanying the poor, Care of creation, Bridge-building and Spiritual renewal